EP1536296A2 - Cartouche de traitement, son mécanisme de positionnement et l'appareil de formation d'image electrophotographique - Google Patents

Cartouche de traitement, son mécanisme de positionnement et l'appareil de formation d'image electrophotographique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1536296A2
EP1536296A2 EP03029891A EP03029891A EP1536296A2 EP 1536296 A2 EP1536296 A2 EP 1536296A2 EP 03029891 A EP03029891 A EP 03029891A EP 03029891 A EP03029891 A EP 03029891A EP 1536296 A2 EP1536296 A2 EP 1536296A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cartridge
main assembly
photosensitive drum
positioning portion
process cartridge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP03029891A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1536296A3 (fr
EP1536296B1 (fr
Inventor
Nobuharu Hoshi
Kazunari Murayama
Hideki Maeshima
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Publication of EP1536296A2 publication Critical patent/EP1536296A2/fr
Publication of EP1536296A3 publication Critical patent/EP1536296A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1536296B1 publication Critical patent/EP1536296B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1839—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/01—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes for producing multicoloured copies
    • G03G2215/0103—Plural electrographic recording members
    • G03G2215/0119—Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
    • G03G2221/1853—Process cartridge having a submodular arrangement
    • G03G2221/1861—Rotational subunit connection
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
    • G03G2221/1884—Projections on process cartridge for guiding mounting thereof in main machine

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a process cartridge removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge positioning mechanism.
  • an electrophotographic image forming apparatus means an apparatus which forms images on recording medium (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, etc.) with the use of one of the electrophotographic image forming methods.
  • recording medium for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, etc.
  • electrophotographic image forming apparatus there are an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, laser printer, LED printer, etc.), a facsimileing machine, a wordprocessor, and an integral combination of two or more of the preceding apparatuses (multifunction printer, etc.).
  • a process cartridge means a cartridge in which a charging means as a processing means, a developing means or a cleaning means as a processing means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally disposed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It also means a cartridge in which a minimum of one processing means among a charging means, a developing means, and cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally disposed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Further, it means a cartridge in which a minimum of a developing means as a processing means and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally disposed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
  • the process cartridge system has been employed, according to which an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (which hereinafter will be referred to as "photosensitive drum") and a single or plurality of processing means, which act on the photosensitive drum, are integrally disposed in a cartridge removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
  • an electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be maintained by an operator alone, that is, without relying on service personnel.
  • the process cartridge system drastically improves an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in operational efficiency. Therefore, the process cartridge system is widely in use in the field of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
  • the process cartridge system is also employed in the field of an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus.
  • a plurality of process cartridges different in the development color are removably mounted in the main assembly of the apparatus, assisting the operator in terms of operational efficiency.
  • the plurality of process cartridges are vertically stacked in parallel, reducing thereby the footprint of the apparatus.
  • the plurality of process cartridges must be mounted into predetermined positions in the main assembly of the apparatus, adding to the number of operations which an operator must carry out.
  • a process cartridge is provided with a pair of guides, which are located at the lengthwise ends of the cartridge, one for one.
  • a process cartridge is mounted into the movable guide of the main assembly of an image forming apparatus, each guide of the process cartridge is seized between a cartridge catching portion and a springy member on the main assembly side, being thereby fixed in position to accurately position the cartridge relative to the apparatus main assembly.
  • the present invention is the result of the further development of the above described prior arts.
  • the primary object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a process cartridge, a process cartridge mounting mechanism, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which is superior to the combinations in accordance with the prior arts in terms of the operational efficiency of the mounting of a process cartridge into the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a process cartridge, a process cartridge mounting mechanism, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which assures that a process cartridge is accurately mounted into the predetermined position in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a process cartridge, a process cartridge mounting mechanism, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which regulates the rotation of a process cartridge about the first and second cartridge positioning portions, by the third cartridge positioning portion, in order to assure that a process cartridge is accurately mounted into the predetermined position in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge which is mountable in the cartridge mounting guide movable relative to the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, is movable from the cartridge mounting position to the image formation position, by the movement of the cartridge mounting guide, and also, comprises:
  • the lengthwise direction of a process cartridge means the direction intersectional with (roughly perpendicular to) the direction in which a cartridge is mounted into, or removed from, the main assembly of an image forming apparatus. It also means the lengthwise direction of a photosensitive drum.
  • the top and bottom surfaces of a cartridge means the surfaces of a cartridge which will be at the top and bottom of the process cartridge, respectively, after the accurate positioning of the cartridge in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus.
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view of a color laser printer, that is, one of the embodiments of the present invention in the form of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic process, showing the general structure thereof.
  • the color laser printer (which hereinafter will be referred to as "printer") is a four-drum type (inline type) printer, which comprises: four process cartridges 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk); an intermediary transfer member (medium) 35; a fixing station 50 for fixing a color image transferred onto recording medium P (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, etc.) to the recording medium P; and multiple pairs of discharge rollers 53, 54, and 56 for discharging the recording medium P onto a delivery tray 56 on top of the apparatus main assembly.
  • process cartridges 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk)
  • intermediary transfer member medium 35
  • fixing station 50 for fixing a color image transferred onto recording medium P (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, etc.) to the recording medium P
  • multiple pairs of discharge rollers 53, 54, and 56 for discharging the recording medium P onto a delivery tray 56 on top of the apparatus main assembly.
  • the four process cartridges 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk) are mounted in the main assembly of the color printer A, being vertically stacked.
  • the cartridge 2Y stores developer of yellow color, and forms an image of the yellow developer.
  • the cartridge 2M stores developer of magenta color, and forms an image of the magenta developer.
  • the cartridge 2C stores developer of cyan color, and forms an image of the cyan developer.
  • the cartridge 2Bk stores developer of black color, and forms an image of the black developer.
  • the intermediary transfer member 35 is a member onto which images formed of developers in process cartridges 2 are temporarily transferred in layers, forming an image (color image) formed of the developers different in color, and from which the image (color image) is transferred onto a recording medium P.
  • the four cartridges 2 can be individually mounted into, or removed from, the main assembly A of the printer.
  • the photosensitive drum 21 comprises an aluminum cylinder, and a layer of organic photosensitive substance coated on the peripheral surface of the aluminum cylinder. It is rotatably supported by the drum frame 24. At the back side ( Figure 2) of the photosensitive drum 21, the driving force from a cartridge driving motor (unshown) is transmitted to the lengthwise end of the photosensitive drum 21, whereby the photosensitive drum 21 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction ( Figure 7) indicated by an arrow mark in the drawing in synchronism with an image formation.
  • a charging means employs a contact charging method. It has an electrically conductive roller (charge roller) 23 (23Y), which is placed in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. As voltage is applied to the charge roller 23, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged.
  • the photosensitive drum 21 is exposed by a scanner portion 1 (1Y). More specifically, as an image formation signal is given to a laser diode (unshown), the laser diode emits a beam of image formation light 10 (10Y), in response to the image formation signal, toward a polygon mirror 11 (11Y).
  • the polygon mirror 11 is being rotated at a high speed by a scanner motor 12 (12Y).
  • the beam of image formation light 10 is reflected by the mirror 11, and is guided through a focal lens 13 (13Y) to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21, which also is rotated at a constant peripheral velocity, selectively exposing numerous points on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21.
  • an electrophotographic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21.
  • the developing means is for developing the electrostatic latent image into a visible image.
  • a development unit 2b ( Figure 7) which makes it possible for the latent image to be developed with developer.
  • the development unit 2b has a development roller 22 (22Y), which is disposed in the position in which it is rotatable in contact with the photosensitive drum 21. It uses developer to develop the latent image on the photosensitive drum 21.
  • the intermediary transfer member 35 is a member onto which multiple images formed of developers on the photosensitive drums 21, by the developer units 2b, one for one, are transferred in layers during color image formation.
  • the intermediary transfer member 35 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction ( Figure 2) at the same peripheral velocity as that of the photosensitive drum 21.
  • the images formed of developers on the photosensitive drums 21 are transferred in layers onto the intermediary transfer member 35 by the primary transfer rollers 34 (34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34Bk), one for one, in the primary transfer stations T1 (T1Y, T1M, T1C, and T1Bk).
  • Each transfer roller 34 is disposed so that it is kept pressed upon the corresponding photosensitive drum 21, with the intermediary transfer member 35 sandwiched between the transfer roller 34 and photosensitive drum 21.
  • the recording medium P is sandwiched between the intermediary transfer member 35 and secondary transfer roller 51, and is conveyed by them.
  • the color images formed of developers, on the intermediary transfer member 35 are transferred all at once onto the recording medium P.
  • the intermediary transfer member (intermediary transfer belt) 35 in this embodiment is a seamless resin belt with a circumferential dimension of roughly 620 mm. It is stretched around a driving roller 31, intermediary transfer member backing roller 32, and tension roller 33, being thereby supported by them. The tension roller 44 is kept pressured outward of the loop, which the intermediary transfer member 35 forms, by the pressure applied to the lengthwise ends of the roller 33. With the provision of this structural arrangement, should the circumferential dimension of the intermediary transfer member (belt) 35 change due to the changes in the internal temperature and/or humidity of the apparatus main assembly A, the change is absorbed by the structural arrangement.
  • the intermediary transfer member 35 is pivotally held to the main assembly A of the apparatus (printer), being allowed to pivotally move about the rotational axis of the driving roller 31.
  • the driving force from a motor (unshown) is transmitted to the back end (Figure 2) of the driving roller 31, rotating the intermediary transfer member 35 in the clockwise direction ( Figure 2) in synchronism with image formation.
  • the feeding station is a station for conveying recording mediums P to the cartridges 2 in the main assembly A of the printer. It comprises a cassette 7 capable of containing multiple recording mediums P, a feed roller 41, a separation pad 42, a conveyance guide 43 and a pair of registration rollers 44, etc.
  • the roller 41 is rotationally driven in synchronism with image formation, whereby the recording mediums P in the cassette 7 are fed one by one out of the cassette 7, and guided by the guide 43 to the pair of registration rollers 44, which carries out, in a predetermined sequence, the non-rotational process for keeping the recording medium P on standby and the rotational process for conveying the recording medium P toward the intermediary transfer member 35, in order to make the recording medium P align with the images on the intermediary transfer member 35 during the subsequent process, that is, the image transfer process.
  • the transfer station has a secondary transfer roller 51, which is rotationally driven, and is virtually vertically movable ( Figure 2).
  • the transfer roller 51 is pressed against the intermediary transfer member 35 by a cam (unshown) onto the recording medium P with the application of a predetermined amount of pressure, with the recording medium P nipped between the intermediary transfer member 35 and transfer roller 51.
  • bias is applied to the transfer roller 51.
  • the images formed of developers, on the intermediary transfer member 35 are transferred onto the recording medium P.
  • the intermediary transfer member 35 and transfer roller 51 are driven independently from each other. Therefore, after the transfer process, the recording medium P, which has been kept sandwiched by the intermediary transfer member 35 and transfer roller 51 during the transfer process, is conveyed leftward (Figure 2), reaching a fixing device 60.
  • the color images formed of developers on the recording medium P are fixed to the recording medium P by the fixing device 50, which comprises a film guide unit 61 and a pressure roller 62.
  • the film guide unit 61 contains a ceramic heater 63 for heating the recording medium P.
  • the pressure roller 62 is for pressing the recording medium P against the film guide unit 61.
  • the feed roller 41 shown in Figure 2 is rotated, conveying thereby one of the recording mediums P in the cassette 1 to the pair of registration rollers 44.
  • the photosensitive drum 21 After being charged by the charge roller 23 across it peripheral surface, the photosensitive drum 21 is exposed to the beam of laser light 10 (image formation light). As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Since the image forming operation is the same for all color component, the image formation operation for the yellow color components will be described here.
  • a latent image corresponding to the yellow color component of a target image is formed by exposing the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21Y to the beam of laser light 10Y, corresponding to the yellow color component of the target image, projected from the scanner portion 1Y.
  • the yellow development roller 22Y is rotated while voltage, the polarity of which is the same as that of the photosensitive drum 21Y, is applied to the yellow development roller 22Y in order to adhere yellow developer to the latent image on the photosensitive drum 21Y, that is, in order to develop the latent image with the yellow developer.
  • the developed latent image that is, an image formed of yellow developer, is transferred (primary transfer) onto the peripheral surface of the intermediary transfer member 35, in the transfer station T1Y.
  • the processes for forming a latent image and developing the latent image are sequentially carried out for the magenta, cyan, and black color components.
  • the formed developer images are transferred onto the intermediary transfer member 35, in the primary transfer stations T1M, T1C, and T1Bk, respectively.
  • a full-color image composed of four developers that is, the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developers, are formed on the peripheral surface of the intermediary transfer member 35.
  • the recording medium P which has been kept on standby by the above described pair of registration rollers 44, is released by the pair of registration rollers 44 for further conveyance.
  • the transfer roller 51 is kept at the bottom position, being away from the intermediary transfer member 35.
  • the transfer roller 51 is moved upward by a cam (unshown) in order to keep the recording medium P pressed against the intermediary transfer member 35 by the transfer roller 51, in the second transfer station T2, while the four images are transferred.
  • bias opposite in polarity to the developers is continuously applied to the transfer roller 51.
  • the recording medium P is separated from the intermediary transfer member 35, and is conveyed to the fixing device 50, in which the images formed of the developers are fixed. Then, the recording medium P is discharged onto the delivery tray 56 on top of the main assembly of the printer, by the three pairs of discharge rollers, ending the operation for forming a full-color image on one of the recording mediums P.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of the printer A, that is, one of the embodiments of the present invention in the form of an image forming apparatus, with its main door open.
  • the door 16 of the main assembly 100 of the image forming apparatus is pivotally movable relative to the main assembly 100 about the rotational axis located at the bottom front of the image forming apparatus (printer) A.
  • the aforementioned intermediary transfer member 35 is attached to the door 16.
  • the door 16 is to be opened or closed when necessary to mount a single or multiple cartridges 2 into the apparatus main assembly A, or to remove a single or multiple cartridges 2 from the apparatus main assembly A.
  • the movable guide 101 holds together multiple cartridges 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk).
  • the pivots 101a-b and 101b-b ( Figure 3) are located at the top end portion of the apparatus main assembly A, and are connected to the door 16 with a set of mechanical linkages (which will be described later).
  • the movable guide 101 is pivoted frontward of the apparatus main assembly 100 about the pivots 101a-b and 101b-b, and therefore, the cartridges 2 supported by the movable guide 101 are also moved frontward of the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the angle by which the movable guide 101 is pivotally moved by the opening of the door 16 is roughly 45°.
  • FIG 3 is a perspective view of the movable guide 101, and the cartridges 2 supported by the movable guide 101.
  • the process cartridges 2Bk and 2C are not illustrated in the drawing.
  • the movable guide 101 is provided with right and left plates 101a and 101b.
  • the right plate 101a supports the right end of each of the cartridges 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk
  • the left plate 101b supports the left end of each of the cartridges 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk.
  • the right and left plates 101a and 101b of the movable guide 101 are separately manufactured for cost saving.
  • the movable guide 101 may be manufactured as a single-piece component, or in multiple pieces which are assembled into the movable guide 101.
  • the right and left plates 101a and 101b of the movable guide 101 are connected with a connective member (which will be described later), so that the right and left plates 101a and 101b remain synchronized in pivotal movement phase, and also, so that the movable guide 101 in this embodiment functions exactly the same as a single-piece movable guide.
  • the right and left plates 101a and 101b are provided with guiding ribs 101a-a and 101b-a, respectively, which support the cartridge 2 from underneath so that the cartridge 2 can be smoothly inserted between the right and left plates 101a and 101b.
  • the right and left plates 101a and 101b are also provided with the pivots 101a-b and 101b-b, respectively, about which the movable guide 101, in which multiple process cartridges 2 are stacked together, is pivotally movable.
  • the right plate 101a is provided with openings 101a-c, preventing thereby right plate 101a from interfering with the first and second driving force transmission portions 78 and 79 of each process cartridge 2, through which the cartridge 2 receives driving force from the main assembly 100.
  • the left plate 101b is provided with openings 101b-c, preventing thereby the left plate 101b from interfering with the cartridge positioning bearing 27 of each cartridge 2.
  • the two plates 101a and 101b are provided with two bosses by which the plates are connected to the mechanical linkage, which will be described later.
  • Figures 4, 5, and 6 are schematic perspective internal views of the image forming apparatus, showing the set of mechanical linkages, which connects the right and left plates 101a and 101b.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the mechanical linkage in the state in which the image forming apparatus is in the image forming action
  • Figure 5 is a schematic perspective internal view of the image forming apparatus in this embodiment, showing the mechanical linkage in the state in which the door 16 is open.
  • Figure 6 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of the mechanical linkage shown in Figure 6.
  • the mechanical linkage comprises: a door connection plate 105; an intermediary connective rod 104; a rotational rod 103; and a connective rod 102 connected to the movable guide 101.
  • each of the cartridges 2 in the movable guide 101 is kept pressed by a spring (unshown) so that each of the bearings 27 and 28 extending from the lengthwise ends of the cartridge 2, one for one, remains in contact with the wall of the cartridge positioning slot 106a of the corresponding side wall 106 of the frame of the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the movable guide 101 functions simply as a vehicle for carrying the cartridge 2 into the immediate adjacencies of the final position for the cartridge 2 in the apparatus main assembly 100 when mounting the process cartridge 2 into the apparatus main assembly 100. Therefore, it is unnecessary for an operator to become excessively concerned with the positioning of the cartridge 2 relative to the movable guide 101 when mounting the cartridge 2 into the movable guide 101. In other words, when mounting the process cartridge into the movable guide 101, it is unnecessary for an operator to confirm whether or not the cartridge 2 has been exactly positioned mounted in the movable guide 101. Therefore, the efficiency with which the cartridge 2 is mounted into the apparatus main assembly 100 is improved.
  • the above described cartridge mounting position 200 for the movable guide 101 is on the front side of the apparatus main assembly 100, that is, the side where the door 16 is present, whereas the movable guide position in which images are formed (which hereinafter will be referred to as "image formation position 300") is the position in the apparatus main assembly 100, into which the movable guide 101 is moved by the closing movement of the door 16, in order to accurately position the cartridges 2 relative to the apparatus main assembly 100, for image formation.
  • the position of the cartridge 2 to which driving force is being transmitted from the apparatus main assembly 100 is slightly different from the predetermined final position in the apparatus main assembly 100, into which the cartridge 2 is moved by the closing of the door 16.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of the cartridge 2
  • Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of the cartridge 2.
  • the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black process cartridges are identical in structure.
  • the cartridge 2 essentially comprises two units: a drum Unit 2a and a development unit 2b.
  • the drum unit 2a supports the photosensitive drum 21, charge roller 23, and cleaning means 26, whereas the development unit 2b supports the developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 21.
  • the units 2a and 2b are connected to each other so that they can be pivotally moved relative to each other.
  • the drum unit 2a holds the photosensitive drum 21, with the photosensitive drum 21 being rotatably supported by the bearings 27 and 28 attached to the drum frame 24.
  • the drum frame 24 holds the charge roller 23, as a processing means, for uniformly charging the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21, and a cleaning blade 26a, as a processing means, for removing the developer particles remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21.
  • the residual toner particles that is, the toner particles remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 are removed therefrom by the cleaning blade 26a, they are sent by a toner conveying mechanism 29 into the toner chamber 30 for the removed toner, which is in the rear portion of the drum frame 24.
  • This toner chamber 30 is an integral part of the drum unit 2a.
  • the development unit 2b comprises: a development roller 22 as a processing means which is rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow mark Y by the contact between the development unit 2b and photosensitive drum 21; a developer container 70 in which developer is held; and a development frame 71 which supports the development roller 22, and which comprises the developer container 70.
  • the development roller 22 is rotatably supported by the development frame 71, with the interposition of bearings.
  • the development frame 71 internally holds a developer supply roller 72 and a development blade 73.
  • the developer supply roller 72 is rotated by its contact with the development roller 22.
  • the development frame 71 also internally holds a stirring member 74, which is in the developer container 70 and conveys the developer in the developer container 70 to the developer supply roller 72 while stirring it.
  • the development unit 2b is connected to the drum unit 2a, being enabled to be pivotally moved relative to the drum unit 2a. More specifically, the development unit 2b is provided with a pair of bearings 75 and 76, which are located at the lengthwise ends of the development unit 2b, one for one, and a pair of pins 77a are inserted into the holes 77 of the bearings 75 and 76, one for one, making it possible for the entirety of the development unit 2b to be pivotally moved relative to the drum unit 2a about the axial lines of the holes 77 (pins 77a). In other words, the development unit 2b is suspended from the drum unit 2a.
  • the development roller 22 is kept in contact with the photosensitive drum 21 by the rotational moment of the development unit 2b about the axial lines of the holes 77 (pins 77a). Further, there is disposed a pair of compression springs 93 between the development units 2b and drum unit 2a, assuring by its resiliency that the development roller 22 is kept pressed upon the photosensitive drum 21.
  • Cartridge frame is the term for the combination of the drum frame 24 and development frame 71.
  • developer is conveyed by the stirring member 74 to the developer supply roller 72, which is being rotated (in arrow Z direction). Then, as the developer is conveyed to the developer supply roller 72, it is coated on the development roller 22, which is being rotated (in arrow Y direction), because the peripheral surface of the developer supply roller 72 rubs against the peripheral surface of the development roller 22; in other words, the developer is borne on the peripheral surface of the development roller 22.
  • the developer borne on the peripheral surface of the development roller 22 reaches the development blade 73 due to the subsequent rotation of the development roller 22, and is regulated by the development blade 73, while being given a predetermined amount of electric charge. As a result, a development layer with a predetermined thickness is formed on the peripheral surface of the development roller 22.
  • the further rotation of the development roller 22 brings the uniform portion of the developer layer on the development roller 22 to the development station, that is, the contact area between the photosensitive drum 21 and development roller 22, in which the latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is developed by the DC voltage (development bias) applied to the development roller 22 from a power source (unshown).
  • the developer particles remaining on the peripheral surface of the development roller 22 after the development are stripped from the peripheral surface of the development roller 22, returning therefore into the developer container 70, in which they are mixed with the developer in the container 70 by the stirring member 74.
  • Figure 10 is a perspective view of the movable guide 101 and a process cartridge 2, showing how the process cartridge is mounted into the movable guide 101
  • Figure 11 is a sectional view of the movable guide 101 in this embodiment, showing the configuration thereof.
  • Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view, at a plane parallel to the cartridge mounting direction, of the process cartridge in the movable guide 101 in the cartridge mounting position, showing how the process cartridge has been positioned relative to the image forming apparatus main assembly (movable guide 101).
  • Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view, at a plane parallel to the cartridge mounting direction, of the process cartridge, after it has been placed in the final position in the image forming apparatus main assembly, by the complete closing of the door 16.
  • the position of the movable guide 101, in which cartridges are to be mounted into the movable guide 101, will be described with reference to cartridge Bk, that is, the topmost cartridge in the image forming apparatus 100.
  • cartridge Bk that is, the topmost cartridge in the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the cartridges other than the black process cartridge are not shown in the drawings.
  • the portions of the movable guide 101, into which the other cartridges are mounted, are identical in structure to the portion of the movable guide 101, into which the black process cartridge is mounted.
  • the cartridge 2 is provided with a pair of ribs 80, which are at both ends of the cartridge 2, one for one, in terms of the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the cartridge is mounted or removed.
  • the ribs 80 are the portions of the cartridge 2, by which the cartridge 2 is guided, while being supported, by the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the ribs 80 are integral portions of the ends of the cartridge 2 in terms of the lengthwise direction of photosensitive drum 21.
  • One of the lengthwise ends (right end) of the cartridge 2 is provided with a first driving force transmission portion 78, in the form of a coupler, to which the driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum 21 is transmitted from the apparatus main assembly 100, and a second driving force transmission portion 79 to which the driving force for rotating the development roller 22 and stirring member 74 is transmitted.
  • the guiding surface 80a as a part of the guiding portion 80 is above the two driving force transmission portions 78 and 79. It is a part of the top surface of the drum frame 24.
  • the guiding surface 80b as another part of the guiding portion 80 is below the two driving force transmission portions 78 and 79. It is a part of the bottom surface of the development frame 71.
  • the other lengthwise end of the cartridge 2 is provided with electrical contacts 81a and 81b for applying voltage to the processing means.
  • the guiding surface 80c as another part of the guiding portion 80 is above the electrical contacts 81a and 81b. It is a part of the top surface of the drum frame 24.
  • the guiding surface 80d as another part of the guiding portion is below the electrical contact 81a and 81b. It is a part of the bottom surface of the development frame 71.
  • the electrical contact 81a is the electrical contact through which the charge bias to be applied to the charge roller 23 is received from the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the electrical contact 81b is the electrical contact through which the development bias to be charged to the development roller 22 is received from the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the apparatus main assembly 100 is provided with guiding ribs 101a-a and 101b-1 ( Figure 3), which correspond in position to the guiding portions 80 of the cartridge 2.
  • the development frame 71 is provided with a rotation controlling portion 82 as a third cartridge positioning portion, which is located forward of the guiding portion 80 in terms of the direction in which the cartridge 2 is mounted into the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the rotation controlling portion 82 is shaped so that it also functions as the guide for placing the cartridge 2 on the guiding rib 101a-a of the movable guide 101.
  • the guiding rib 101a-a is provided with a cartridge positioning surface 101a-f, which is a part of the inward end portion of the guiding rib 101a-a, and opposes the rotation controlling portion 82 when the cartridge 2 is entirely rested on the guiding rib 101a-a.
  • the cartridge 2 is to be inserted into the movable guide 101 when the movable guide 101 is in the cartridge mounting position, into which the movable guide 101 is moved by being pivotally moved outward of the apparatus main assembly 100 by roughly 40° from the image formation position.
  • the cartridge 2 can be casually mounted into the movable guide 101 (apparatus main assembly 100).
  • the cartridge 2 upon insertion of the cartridge 2 into the movable guide 101, the cartridge 2 slides down on the guiding ribs 101a-a and 101b-a, which are substantially slanted relative to the horizontal plane, because the movable guide 101 is in the cartridge mounting position. Then, slightly before the cartridge 2 reaches the deepest end of the guiding rib 101a-a (101b-a), the rotation controlling surface 82a, which is the bottom surface of the rotation controlling portion 82, comes into contact with the cartridge positioning surface 101a-f.
  • the cartridge positioning surface 101a-f is a part of the movable guide 101. More specifically, the cartridge positioning surface 101a-f is a part of the downstream end portion of the movable guide 101, in terms of the cartridge mounting direction X ( Figure 13), and is slightly stepped up from the upstream side.
  • the cartridge positioning surface 82a that is, a part of the bottom surface of the cartridge frame, rides onto the cartridge positioning surface 101a-f.
  • the door 16 is to be closed.
  • the movable guide 101 is moved by the above described mechanical linkage connected to the apparatus main assembly 100, into the image formation position 300, that is, the position in which image formation is possible, shown in Figure 13, in the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the bearings 27 and 28, which project from the lengthwise ends of the drum frame 24, with their axial lines coinciding with the axial line of the photosensitive drum 21, and which function as cartridge positioning portions as well as bearings are fitted into the cartridge positioning slots 106a of the side walls 106, one for one, of the main frame of the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • each of the bearings 27 and 28 is pressed against the rear and bottom surfaces of the corresponding positioning slot 106a (106b), being thereby fixed in terms of the position relative to the apparatus main assembly 100, and therefore, accurately positioning the axis of the photosensitive drum 21 relative to the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the bearings 27 and 28 bear the supporting shaft of the photosensitive drum 21.
  • the attitude of the cartridge 2 in terms of its rotational direction is controlled by the contact between the rotation controlling surface 82a of the cartridge 2 and the cartridge positioning surface 101a-f of the movable guide 101.
  • the cartridge 2 is provided with a first driving force transmission portion (coupling) 78, which is at one of the lengthwise ends.
  • the coupling 78 is connected to the supporting shaft of the photosensitive drum 21, and receives the driving force by coupling with the driving force transmitting means (unshown) of the apparatus main assembly 100, rotating thereby the photosensitive drum 21 in the direction indicated by arrow marks (clockwise direction in Figures 13 and 19).
  • the drum unit 2a is subjected to the rotational moments, that is, the reactive force generated by the driving force, which acts in the direction, indicated by the arrows, to rotate the drum unit 2a about the line connecting the axial lines of the bearings 27 and 28 as the first and second cartridge positioning portions, respectively.
  • the rotation controlling surface 82a comes into contact with the cartridge positioning surface 101a-f, catching the moment generated by the transmitted driving force. Therefore, the position of the cartridge 2 relative to the apparatus main assembly 100 becomes fixed, in terms of the direction in which the cartridge 2 is rotated by the driving force it receives from the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • Figure 14 is a schematic sectional view of the process cartridge 2 in accordance with the present invention, and its adjacencies, at a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cartridge 2, showing the mechanism for separating the development roller 22 from the photosensitive drum 21, and
  • Figure 15 is a schematic sectional view of the process cartridge 2 in accordance with the present invention, and its adjacencies, at a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cartridge 2, in the state in which the cartridge 2 is in the image forming apparatus main assembly 100, and in which the development roller has been separated from the photosensitive drum 21.
  • Figure 16 is a schematic sectional view of the process cartridge 2 in accordance with the present invention, at a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cartridge 2, showing the developer roller pressing members thereof.
  • the apparatus main assembly 100 is provided with a separating means 110 for separating the development roller 22 from the photosensitive drum 21 against the resiliency of the pair of compression springs 93 of the cartridge 2.
  • the separating means 110 is located at the deepest (most downstream) end of the apparatus main assembly 100 in terms of the direction in which the cartridge 2 is mounted into the apparatus main assembly 100. It has a developer separating portion (plate) 111 for pushing upward the force catching portion 92, with which the lengthwise end of the development unit 2b is provided.
  • the separating means 110 can be activated by a motor (unshown) to push up the separating plate 111 to the separation point at which there is no contact between the development roller 22 and photosensitive drum 21, or to release the separating plate 111 to allow the separating plate 111 to return to the development point at which the development roller 22 is kept in contact with the photosensitive drum 21; the separating means 110 allows the development unit 2b to be in the developing position only during a period in which an image is actually formed.
  • the separating plate 111 is pushed up by a stepping motor (unshown) after the positioning of the cartridge 2 into its image formation position, which corresponds to the image formation position 300 of the movable guide 101, in the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the cartridge 2 is structured so that the development unit 2b is suspended with the pair of pins 77a from the drum unit 2a, being enabled to pivotally move about the pins 77a.
  • the rotation controlling surface 82b which is the top surface of the rotation controlling portion 82 of the drum unit 2a, and which is for controlling the developer roller separating rotation of the cartridge 2, comes into contact with the cartridge catching surface 101a-g, which is a part of the guiding rib 101a of the movable guide 101, and which corresponds in position to the rotation controlling surface 82b, preventing the drum unit 2a (cartridge 2) from rotating further upward ( Figures 18 and 19).
  • the development unit 2b is rotated about the pins 77a, causing therefore the development roller 22 to separate from the photosensitive drum 21, creating a predetermined distance between the development roller 22 and photosensitive drum 21.
  • the cartridge 2 is structured so that the development unit 2b is suspended from the drum unit 2a, being allowed to pivotally move relative to the drum unit 2a. Therefore, when the cartridge is not under any constraint, the development unit 2b is kept pressured by the resiliency of the springs 93, in the direction to keep the development roller 22 in contact with the photosensitive drum 21. Therefore, after the removal of the force which keeps the development roller 22 separated from the photosensitive drum 21, that is, during an image forming operation, the development roller 22 is kept in contact with the photosensitive drum 21 solely by the resiliency of the springs 93, without being affected by the structural arrangement on the apparatus main assembly side. Therefore, a predetermined amount of contact pressure is maintained between the development roller 22 and photosensitive drum 21.
  • the pair of compression springs 93 may be replaced with a pair of tension springs attached to the lengthwise ends of the cartridge 2, one for one, with one end of each tension spring attached to the portion of the lengthwise end of the drum frame 2a, which roughly corresponds in position to the axial line of the photosensitive drum 21, and the other end attached to the portion of the lengthwise end of the development frame 2b, which roughly corresponds to the axial line of the development roller 22.
  • a pair of compression springs 93a is employed in combination with a pair of tension springs 93b.
  • the bearings 27 (first positioning portion) and 28 (second positioning portion) are accurately positioned relative to the apparatus main assembly 100 by the positioning slots 106a and 101b of the side walls 106 of the main frame of the apparatus main assembly 100. In other words, their positions are fixed by the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the rotational movement of the cartridge 2 about the axial lines of the bearings 27 and 28 caused by the transmission of driving force to the cartridge 2 from the apparatus main assembly 100 is controlled by the rotation controlling portion 82 (positioning surface 82a).
  • the position of the cartridge 2 is also fixed by the movable guide 101.
  • the image forming apparatus A is structured so that the cartridges 2 are moved into their image formation positions corresponding to the image formation position 300 of the movable guide 101, in the apparatus main assembly 100, by the movement of the movable guide 101, the cartridges 2 are reliably and accurately positioned relative to the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the upward movement of the inward end portion of the cartridge 2, which occurs when separating the development roller 22 from the photosensitive drum 21, is controlled by the rotation controlling portion 82 (positioning surface 82b).
  • the cartridge 2 is fixed in position by the movable guide 101.
  • the image forming apparatus A is structured so that the cartridges 2 are moved into their image formation positions corresponding to the image formation position 300 of the movable guide 101, in the apparatus main assembly 100, by the movement of the movable guide 101, the cartridges 2 are kept reliably and accurately positioned relative to the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the bottom surface of the rotation controlling portion 82 constitutes the positioning surface 82a
  • the top surface of the rotation control portion 82 constitutes the positioning surface 82b.
  • the positioning surface 101a-f of the movable guide 101 is the top surface of the portion 101a-h, which is the slightly thicker portion of the movable guide 101.
  • the bottom surface of the cartridge 2 rides onto the portion 101a-h, reducing thereby the distance between the cartridge 2 and positioning surface 101-f, and the distance between the cartridge 2 and the downwardly facing inward surface 101a-i of the movable guide 101.
  • the cartridge 2 is prevented from unexpectedly shifting while movable guide 101 is moved.
  • the rotation controlling portion 82 is on the side where the first and second driving force transmission portions 78 and 79 are present. Therefore, the rotation of the cartridge 2 can be better controlled. In this case, the three portions, that is, the bearings 27 and 28 and rotation controlling portion 82 of the cartridge 2, remain in contact with the apparatus main assembly 100, accurately positioning the cartridge 2 relative to the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the rotation controlling portion may be on the other side of the cartridge 2, that is, the side opposite to where it is in this embodiment, or may be located at both lengthwise ends of the cartridge 2.
  • Figure 17 is a schematic sectional view of the cartridge 2 in the movable guide 101 in its cartridge mounting position 200, and its adjacencies, at a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cartridge 2, showing the mechanism for opening or closing the shutter
  • Figure 18 is a schematic sectional view of the cartridge 2 in the movable guide 101 in its image formation position 300, and its adjacencies, at a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cartridge 2, showing the state of the mechanism for opening or closing the shutter, after the closing of the door 16.
  • the cartridge 2 is provided with a drum shutter for shielding the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21, which is rotatably attached to the cartridge frame.
  • the shutter 87 comprises a shielding member 85 formed of black resinous substance, and a shutter rod 86.
  • the shutter rod 86 is rotatably attached to the drum unit 2a by one end, and is attached to the shielding member 85 by the other. Thus, as the shutter rod 86 is rotated, the shielding member 85 is moved, exposing thereby the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21.
  • the drum shutter 87 of the cartridge(s) 2 in the movable guide 101 is covering the photosensitive drum 21. Then, as the door 16 of the apparatus main assembly 100 is closed, the cartridge(s) 2 is orbitally moved, together with the movable guide 101, into its final position(s), that is, image formation position(s) which corresponds to the image formation position 300 of the movable guide 101, in the apparatus main assembly 100, by the mechanical linkage connected to the door 16 and movable guide 101.
  • the shutter rod 86 of the shutter 87 comes into contact with a shutter controlling member 112 projecting inward from the apparatus main assembly 100, being thereby rotated in the direction to move the shielding member 85 of the shutter 87 in the direction to expose the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21.
  • the shutter controlling member 112 coincides in position with the shutter rod 86, and is in the orbital path of the cartridge 2 from where it is in the movable guide 101 in the cartridge mounting position 200 to its image formation position, that is, its final position in the apparatus main assembly 100, which corresponds to the image formation position 300 of the movable guide 101.
  • the above described positioning surface 82a and rotation controlling surface 82b control the attitude of the leading end of the cartridge 2 in the movable guide 101, in terms of the cartridge mounting direction, assuring that the shutter rod 86 will come into contact with the shutter controlling member 112 as the cartridge 2 is orbitally moved into the apparatus main assembly 100, and also that while the shutter 87 is opened by the movement of the cartridge 2 subsequent to the contact between the shutter rod 86 and shutter controlling member 112, the cartridge 2 is prevented from being rattled in the movable guide 101 by the resistance from the shutter 87, in order to prevent the shutter rod 86 from riding over the shutter controlling member 112.
  • the positioning surface 82a and rotation controlling surface 82b serve as rattle controlling means, assuring that the shutter 87 is properly opened.
  • the process cartridge 2 in accordance with the present invention is a process cartridge, which is placeable in the movable guide 101 attached to the main assembly 100 of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus A and movable relative to the apparatus main assembly 100 in order to move the cartridge 2 from the cartridge mounting position (200) to the image formation position (300), is characterized in that it comprises:
  • the above described process cartridge 2 comprises:
  • the above described force catching portion 92 is located on the opposite side of the vertical plane which is parallel to the lengthwise direction of the process cartridge 2 and coincides with the axial lines of the connective portions (holes 77 and pins 77a) which connect the development frame 71 as a part of the cartridge frame, and the photosensitive drum supporting drum frame 24 as another part of the cartridge frame, in the manner to allow the two frames 71 and 24 to pivotally move relative to each other, with respect to where the development roller 22 is placed in contact with, or separated from, the photosensitive drum 21.
  • the third positioning portion (rotation controlling portion 82) is located at the same lengthwise end of the process cartridge 2 as the driving force receiving portions through which the process cartridge 2 receives driving force from the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the third positioning portion (rotation controlling portion 82) is located on the downstream side, in terms of the process cartridge mounting direction, with respect to the driving force receiving portions through which the process cartridge 2 receives driving force from the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the first positioning portion (bearing 27) is accurately positioned relative to the apparatus main assembly 100 by the first positioning portion (positioning slot 106a) of the apparatus main assembly 100
  • the second positioning portion (bearing 28) is positioned relative to the apparatus main assembly 100 by the second positioning portion (positioning slot 106b) of the apparatus main assembly 100.
  • the axial lines of the first and second positioning portions coincide with the axial line of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 21.
  • the apparatus main assembly 100 comprises the third cartridge positioning portion, which is an integral part of the leading end portion the movable guide 101 of the apparatus main assembly 100, in terms of the direction in which the process cartridge 2 is mounted into the apparatus main assembly 100, and which comprises: the first rotation controlling surface for preventing the process cartridge 2 from being rotated about the axial lines of the first and second positioning portions by the driving force transmitted from the driving means (unshown) of the apparatus main assembly 100, and the second rotation controlling surface for preventing the process cartridge 2 from being rotated about the axial lines of the first and second positioning portions in the direction to separate the development roller 22 from the photosensitive drum 21 by the external force.
  • the third cartridge positioning portion which is an integral part of the leading end portion the movable guide 101 of the apparatus main assembly 100, in terms of the direction in which the process cartridge 2 is mounted into the apparatus main assembly 100, and which comprises: the first rotation controlling surface for preventing the process cartridge 2 from being rotated about the axial lines of the first and second positioning portions by the driving force transmitted from the driving means (unshown) of
  • a process cartridge which' is capable of being carried on a movable guide, which is movable relative to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which is provided in the main assembly, the movable guide being movable from a receiving position toward a mount position in interrelation with movement of the movable guide, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on the drum; a cartridge frame; a first positioning portion to be positioned relative to a main assembly, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the first positioning portion extending outwardly from the framee adjacent the one longitudinal end of the drum; a second positioning portion to be positioned relative to the main assembly, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the second positioning portion extending outwardly from the framee adjacent the other longitudinal end of the drum; a first portion to be carried, provided at one longitudinal end of the drum, for being supported by the movable guide, the first portion to be carried being disposed on a bottom surface of the framee; a second portion to be carried, provided at the other

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
EP03029891.3A 2003-08-29 2003-12-29 Cartouche de traitement, son mécanisme de positionnement et l'appareil de formation d'image electrophotographique Expired - Lifetime EP1536296B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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JP2003209843A JP3970217B2 (ja) 2003-08-29 2003-08-29 電子写真画像形成装置
JP2003209843 2003-08-29

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EP1536296A2 true EP1536296A2 (fr) 2005-06-01
EP1536296A3 EP1536296A3 (fr) 2005-06-08
EP1536296B1 EP1536296B1 (fr) 2018-12-05

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EP (1) EP1536296B1 (fr)
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EP1536296A3 (fr) 2005-06-08
CN101639660A (zh) 2010-02-03
US7127194B2 (en) 2006-10-24
KR20050022859A (ko) 2005-03-08
EP1536296B1 (fr) 2018-12-05
JP2005077442A (ja) 2005-03-24
CN100545759C (zh) 2009-09-30
US20050047820A1 (en) 2005-03-03
JP3970217B2 (ja) 2007-09-05
US7349649B2 (en) 2008-03-25
CN1591208A (zh) 2005-03-09
US20060257164A1 (en) 2006-11-16
CN101639660B (zh) 2012-09-05
KR100733934B1 (ko) 2007-07-02

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